Ion acceleration and coherent structures generated by lower hybrid shear-driven instabilities
- Space Plasma Branch, Plasma Physics Division Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. 20375 (United States)
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742 (United States)
It is shown that if [kappa]=[omega][sub [ital S]]/[omega][sub LH][gt]1 ([omega][sub [ital S]] and [omega][sub LH] are the shear and lower hybrid frequencies), a sheared electron cross-field flow excites the electron-ion-hybrid mode, causing significant perpendicular ion acceleration. The electric potential develops coherent structures (vortexlike) longer than the electron Larmor radius, [rho][sub [ital e]]. For [kappa][lt]1, a smooth transition occurs where the wavelength becomes of the order of [rho][sub [ital e]], the lower hybid drift instability dominates, and the formation of vortexlike structures is no longer observed. The results are relevant to laboratory, laser-produced, and space plasmas.
- OSTI ID:
- 6933342
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review Letters; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (United States) Vol. 69:24; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
700340* -- Plasma Waves
Oscillations
& Instabilities-- (1992-)
ACCELERATION
CHARGED PARTICLES
COULOMB FIELD
DATA
DRIFT INSTABILITY
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
INFORMATION
INSTABILITY
IONS
LABORATORIES
LARMOR RADIUS
LASER-PRODUCED PLASMA
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL DATA
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
RESONANCE
SHEAR
SPACE
THEORETICAL DATA
VORTICES